Many Christians assume that if a sermon is biblically sound, it must be expository, but is that always true? In this conversation with my husband, Adam Pivec, we look beyond the label to explore what genuine "expository preaching" is. And we provide a checklist of things to listen for during your next Sunday sermon to know if your pastor is exegeting the text.

This episode examines subtle, but crucial issues:

• Why “using the Bible” doesn't guarantee that a sermon communicates the biblical author's intent

• How some sermons begin in the text but drift into opinion or agenda

• The role of the pastor as a messenger, not an originator of truth

• Why faithful preaching often corrects our expectations rather than confirming them

Ultimately, this discussion reminds us that true expository teaching does more than reference Scripture, it submits to it. When the Word leads, the church is not shaped exclusively by the imagination or creativity of the preacher but by the voice of God Himself.

How to know if a sermon is faithful to the biblical intent? In this episode, I sit down with my husband, Adam Pivec, to talk about something we care deeply about: expository preaching. We explore what it really is, why it's essential for the church today, and why so many sermons drift away from Scripture without people recognizing it.We explain the difference between exegesis (drawing meaning from Scripture) and eisegesis (reading our own ideas into it), and why getting this right is foundational for faithful Christian teaching and discipleship. We also discuss how sermons can subtly shift into opinion, trends, or personality-driven messages, even when pastors still quote the Bible. And Adam shares the concerning methods regularly used to preach within the New Apostolic Reformation movement.If you've ever struggled to find a church that teaches the Bible faithfully, or wondered whether topical sermons can be biblical, we address those issues, too. We also share encouragement for believers who feel discouraged by the lack of churches that teach exegetically, and what to do about it.

#exegesis #doctrine #bibleverses #hermeneutics #hollypivec

Many Christians are told that if they’re not hearing God’s voice through inner impressions, dreams, or prophetic words, they’re missing out on intimacy with Him and knowing His will for their lives. But is that really what the Bible teaches?In this episode, we turn away from popular teachings and look at Scripture itself. What we find is both freeing and grounding: the normative way to hear God’s voice is through His written Word. The Bible is sufficient to equip us for salvation and for living a life pleasing to Him—without the pressure of chasing constant “signs.”You’ll learn:What Scripture actually means when it talks about “obeying God’s voice”Why the sufficiency of Scripture is central to hearing GodHow the “way of wisdom” offers a biblical model for making decisionsWhy God’s guidance doesn’t mean micromanaging our every choiceThis episode is not about dismissing God’s power to speak in extraordinary ways—but about recovering the confidence and peace that comes from growing in our ability to make wise, God-honoring choices.📖 Scriptures discussed: 2 Timothy 3:14–17, Deuteronomy 26:17, 2 Kings 18:11–12, Jeremiah 9:12–13, James 1:5, Proverbs 9, Psalm 111.If you’ve ever wondered how to truly hear God, this talk will help you anchor your faith and decision-making where they belong: in Scripture and the "way of wisdom."#doctrine #theology #bibleverses #hollypivec #godsvoice

Is “hearing God’s voice” actually harming Christians?

In this eye-opening episode, we expose the hidden dangers behind modern teachings that encourage believers to regularly hear God speak outside of Scripture—focusing especially on Pete Greig’s book How to Hear God.

You’ll learn how these teachings:

- Enslave Christians to their feelings, dreams, and unreliable impressions

- Create dependency on spiritual leaders who claim to hear God “better”

- Add unbiblical requirements that compromise the gospel

- Cause confusion, anxiety, and bad decision-making

- Lead to real damage in missions, evangelism, and church life

Through real-life examples, scriptural analysis, and testimony from the mission field, this episode shows why these teachings aren’t just “misused by bad leaders”—they’re spiritually abusive at their core.

Key Topics Covered:

The dangers of the "hearing God's voice" teachings

The illusion of intimacy and divine will

Emotional and spiritual exhaustion

Manipulative leadership and dependency

How missions and evangelism suffer

If you've ever felt pressured to “hear God” through inner impressions, leaders, or signs—or if you’ve been told you're missing God’s will—this episode is for you.

Coming Soon: A biblical explanation of how Christians should hear God today.

Will heaven merge with earth, as many scholars claim? What are we to make of NAR leaders' claims that it is the task of the church to "bring heaven to earth"? Is Hillsong's song "What a Beautiful Name" biblical, and should churches sing it? In this conversation, Alan Gomes evaluates popular teachings about heaven found in bestselling books and Grammy award-winning worship songs.

Alan Gomes' book on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/40-Questions-about-Heaven-Hell/dp/0825442761

Are trips to heaven and hell and near-death experiences proof of an afterlife, or are they the products of fraud, psychology, or even demonic deception? In this episode, we unpack well-known claims, expose fabrications, and show why Scripture, not sensational stories, must be our foundation for understanding the afterlife.

Alan Gomes' book on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/40-Questions-about-Heaven-Hell/dp/0825442761

What really happens after unbelievers die? Are the flames of hell literal? Are alternative views of hell gaining popularity? In this conversation, we explore what Scripture actually says about hell and the common misconceptions Christians often hold.

Alan Gomes' book on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/40-Questions-about-Heaven-Hell/dp/0825442761

Many Christians assume we’ll spend eternity floating in heaven — but what if Scripture paints a different picture? In this first-ever guest interview, Dr. Alan Gomes (author of 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell) unpacks common misconceptions about heaven, what the “eternal state” really is, and what believers will actually do forever — from worship and work to creativity, learning, and community on the new earth.

Alan Gomes' book on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/40-Questions-about-Heaven-Hell/dp/0825442761

Are Christians being told to obey fallible prophecies?

In this episode, I review Pete Greig’s How to Hear God and show how his teachings, while sounding biblical, subtly undermine Scripture’s authority. He claims the Bible is central, yet urges obedience to dreams and prophetic words that can be mistaken, even suggesting that studying Scripture can hinder hearing God’s voice.

I explain why this “bait and switch” is dangerous, how it reflects broader NAR patterns, and why we must test both the words and practices of today’s teachers against Scripture.

Just because a verse hits you doesn’t mean it's about you.

📖💭 In this episode, I unpack how popular methods of "hearing God" through Scripture can drift into dangerous territory when context is thrown out the window. When we treat the Bible like a magic mirror, we risk seeing only our own reflection—not God's words.